About Us

Kent Equality Cohesion Council (KECC) evolved out of the North West Kent Racial Equality Council and came into being in April 2010.

We work in partnership across Kent with both the voluntary and statutory sector to promote community cohesion and to eliminate discrimination. We currently have partnership arrangements with Kent County Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council, Gravesham Citizens Advice North & West Kent, Kent Fire & Rescue Service and Kent Police.

We provide free advice and support around a range of diversity issues relating to Race, Faith, Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender and Age. Our service is fully confidential. We are also specialists in community development, community outreach and community cohesion work across the County of Kent and provide training and policy development as and when required across both the voluntary and statutory sector.

CEO Profile

The CEO of the organisation is Gurvinder Sandher who has previously worked for the North West Kent Racial Equality Council since 1999, first as a Racial Equality Officer and then as an Assistant Director. Gurvinder has a Masters in Community Cohesion Management.

He has a breadth of experience working in partnership to develop innovative events, leading on issues of community cohesion, and providing help and support to those in need. Gurvinder sits on a number of strategic boards which include:

  • County Chair of the Independent Police Advisory Group for Kent
  • Vice Chair of the Kent Police and Crime Panel (Independent Member)
  • Member of College of Policing Independent Advisory Panel
  • Kent Youth Justice Board
  • Chair of Rethink Sahayak Project
  • Vice President of KALC (Kent Association Local Councils)
  • Independent Parish Councillor

“I am passionate about bringing communities together and celebrating what it means to be citizens of the great county of Kent and the United Kingdom. This ranges from organising Saint George’s Day celebrations in North Kent to the culturally diverse festivals in West Kent to the lantern parades organised in the rural parts of Kent. We are here to provide help and support not just to local authority and public sector partners but also community groups and individuals. I would like to think that over the years that our work has helped contribute to the positive community relations we enjoy here in Kent.”